Opera and Symphony chairs who are working on their respective opening night galas gathered in McCall and Associates' kitchen for this photomontage on Friday, Aug. 14, 2009 in San Francisco, Calf. McCall's is the caterer for both events. From left are Michelle Curtis, Marie Carr, Alexandra Siliezar, Adrianna Pope Sullivan, Teresa Medearis, Jessa Wu, Chris Contos, Trish Loucks, Charlie Loucks, and Lisa Grotts.

Like a finely tuned team of chefs in a kitchen, the people who have been planning the season-opening gala nights for the San Francisco Symphony on Sept. 9 and the San Francisco Opera on Sept. 11 have had to work in sync.

The galas, elegant and ephemeral, are no small feat. Even though they last only one night, the money the events raise from the dinners and performances supports music education programs in local schools all year long that reach more than 100,000 schoolchildren.

Learn more about the ladies and gentlemen behind these artful concoctions inside the pages of Style.

This article has been corrected since it appeared in print editions

Works as: Communications manager, the PlumpJack Group. Lives in: San Francisco. Seen here in: Dress by Theory, Judith Ripka earrings. Early brush with the arts: A music history class in high school that taught construction of the pieces and where they fit in history. Philanthropy: Executive board member and treasurer, Bay Area Arthritis Foundation; president of Spinsters, 2008-09; PlumpJack-sponsored events benefiting cancer-related nonprofits (PlumpJack/LINK Golf Classic, This Old Bag.).

Works as: Psychotherapist at a psychiatric emergency unit, mental health consultant for U.S. military. Lives in: San Francisco. Seen here in: Dress by Nanette Lepore. Early brush with the arts: Attended symphonic concerts with parents; trained in ballet, jazz and world dance; sang in church chorus. Philanthropy: Missionary for Maranatha Volunteers International; donor to Adventist Development & Relief Agency International.

4. Adrianna Pope Sullivan, Opera Gala co-chair

Works as: Consultant with the Carlisle Collection of New York City and with her family's El Peco Ranch, with fruit and nut trees in the Central Valley. Seen here in: Jacket and pants from the Carlisle Collection. Early brush with the arts: Studied acting at American Conservatory Theater. Philanthropy: Past Opera Ball chair; past co-chair and honoree, amFAR fall fundraising dinner; volunteered with Classical Action to raise funds for local AIDS-related charities.

Works as: Former dealer in foreign currency exchange for Standard Chartered Bank, Hong Kong. Lives in: Hillsborough. Seen here in: Hermès top and pants, and natural-stone necklace made by a friend. Early brush with the arts: Played piano through childhood and college. Philanthropy: Chaired San Francisco Symphony's Chinese New Year Concerts 2005-07; City College of San Francisco Foundation board member, Western Region Advisory Board of Project Hope.